Tag: minimalism

Mocha Angels 365. Day 37.

“Our personal attempts to live humanely in this world are never wasted. Choosing to cultivate love rather than anger just might be what it takes to save the planet from extinction.”

– Pema Chodron, The Places That Scare You

I’m reading this book right now, and it is a stellar work. Chodron, an American Buddhist nun, most known for her bestseller When Things Fall Apart, gives clear instruction on how to open the heart (and keep it open) especially when we don’t want to do so. A review is coming soon. If you’ve read the book, or any of her books, let me know what you think.

Mocha Angels 365. Day 36.

“……my therapist taught me, “Everything in moderation, except joy.” As I looked back over my life, I began to understand that my joy, indeed my very existence, depends on me inhaling goodness unapologetically.” – “Sharing ‘Good Vibes’ Only Can Save Your Life” by Danielle Young (link to full article below.)

I read that quote in the December 2019 issue of Essence magazine. I was reading the magazine at Firestone Auto Care while waiting for my car to be repaired after an unexpected breakdown. The column struck me so much that I took a picture of the above paragraph.

So how to inhale more goodness, more joy when the “dailyness” of life is wearing you down? Reading Mocha Angels 365 is always good! That Ms. Mocha Angel is on point! (HA HA!)

Doing things that bring you joy is key.

Enter ellieejay from the Pointless Overthinking blog. She wrote a post called “How to Love the Repetition of Life.” (link to full post below) Simple pleasures, with minimum effort and minimum cost, are the key the enjoying the repetition of life, says ellieejay. I’m down like four flat tires with her line of thinking.

The simplest of all my pleasures is singing. I sing all.the.time. Everywhere. Anywhere. Ask my kids. I dance too. I can’t dance worth snot, but I don’t care. Song and dance bring me joy. I can’t do either one of them too much.

How do you inhale goodness? What are your simple pleasures?

Sharing ‘Good Vibes’ Only Can Save Your Life by Danielle Young: https://www.essence.com/videos/watch-the-overexplainer-good-vibes-only/

How to Love the Repetition of Life by elliejay: https://pointlessoverthinking.com/2020/01/10/how-to-love-the-repetition-of-life/

A Year of Living Without (or Breaking the Chains of Resistance) January Update

I made it through the rest of January with only a half of cup of coffee at work on the 15th. I threw it away because it tasted weird. I didn’t have anymore coffee the rest of the month. This was the most successful “living without” I’ve done since I started.

I didn’t believe I could do it. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The carrot smoothie that I wrote about yesterday really does help with my energy level. I’ll keep going with this challenge into February.

The challenge for this month is “no sugar.” I’ve got my meals planned out already. Wish me luck.

Original post: https://mochaangels.com/2019/11/01/a-year-of-living-without-or-breaking-the-chains-of-resistance/

Mocha Angels 365. Day 26.

“Life can only be found in the present moment. When you look at the beautiful blue sky, where is it? In the present moment.

In order to not miss the beautiful blue sky, you have to go back to the present moment. Because it is in that moment that you get in touch with the beautiful blue sky, the beautiful rivers, the beautiful trees…

Everything wonderful, everything refreshing, happens in the present moment. Therefore, running to the future, or getting lost in the past, you miss life. Breathing in and out gets you back to the present moment where you have an appointment with life.”

– Thich Nhat Hahn, The Art of Mindful Living

Mocha Angels 365. Day 25.

Challenge yourself to reach your fullest potential. Whatever your life’s condition (not circumstance, for that implies that life is series of accidents or happenstance), you have the power to change it. If you take deliberate steps toward your ultimate vision for your life, then life is not simply “happening” to you. You are the power you seek.

Mantra: I create my own reality today.

Mocha Angels 365. Day 22.

Cleaning out, not simply cleaning up, your house helps you think more clearly. Too much stuff weighs you down, body, mind, and spirit. Even the simple act of vacuuming makes my space feel lighter. Yes, I have read Marie Kondo’s books and reviewed her Netflix show, “Tidying Up.” Yes, I’m on board the KonMari Method ™ train headed to Tidyville.

It’s more than that to me. Your house/apartment/rented room is your private retreat from the chaotic outside world. At least it should be. The stuff/things/items (and people) in your home should bring you happiness, joy, and contentment. (Things can also be practical. I don’t love my Phillips head screwdrivers, my toothbrush, or my printer paper. However, I’m glad they are there when I need them.) Getting rid of stuff and people in your house who weigh you down is a good thing. Say “thank you” to your things as you release them. And say “thank you” to the space you are creating for the new in your life.

A Year of Living Without (or Breaking the Chains of Resistance) December Update

The plan was to not watch the news this month. Unfortunately, I hit my head at work on a piece of exercise equipment Friday, December 6th. Ambulance ride, ER visit, concussion diagnosis. It was great…not. I was off work from that day until December 24th. When I wasn’t sleeping, I did watch television, and sometimes, the news.

I have watched much less news in January. What I have done is read articles at Good News Network and Good Black News. They both remind me that people are doing good in this world. It’s unfortunate that good news is buried at the end of all newscasts, local and national.

I had thought super briefly about working in broadcast news while I was in grad school in the late 90s. (That was my decade!) I met a former news camera man, Derek, while I was in school. He told me two things: 1) That I was too nice a person to work in the news business and to stay the hell away from it, and 2) Newscasts lead with death and destruction in order to scare viewers into buying things. Number Two tripped me out the most. We’re being scared deliberately with the intention of driving us to buy more “stuff” in the name of fake security? The older I get, the more his words make sense to me.

January’s challenge is no coffee. I have had coffee since January 1, but a lot less than normal. Post-concussion, I have had more energy and I’m sometimes not finishing my coffee. I have raspberry tea at work and my own mug, so that’s what I’m reaching for more often.

Original post: https://mochaangels.com/2019/11/01/a-year-of-living-without-or-breaking-the-chains-of-resistance/

Good News Network: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

Good Black News: https://goodblacknews.org/